After an eventful college football season, a true champion has emerged following the game last Monday between Notre Dame and Ohio State. After each team’s extremely successful season, they proved they deserved a spot in the national championship, each holding strong records with fourteen wins each. Despite having the same record, the powerhouse of Ohio State was the nine point favorite heading into Monday night. They proved this nine-point prediction to be accurate, as well as adding two extra points, making the final score 34-23. Many fans, such as Hingham High school student Beckett Williams, had strong opinions on the two teams. When asked about the game, he shared, “The two most dislikeable teams going at it.” With this quote, Williams let it be known that he is not a fan of either team.
Although Notre Dame was not victorious in this matchup, star quarterback Riley Leonard outperformed Ohio State’s Will Howard. The Notre Dame quarterback out-threw Howard on Monday in terms of passing yards. Leonard threw for two passing touchdowns and tacked on a rushing touchdown of his own in the first quarter on a promising first drive of the game. Leonard’s two passing touchdowns were both caught by an impactful wideout, Jaden Greathouse, who had 130 receiving yards to go along with his two touchdowns. Notre Dame’s Joshua Burnham was an influential player on the defensive side of the ball, achieving two sacks and four tackles. Notre Dame’s defense was also driven by sophomore linebacker Drayk Bowen. Bowen tallied seven solo tackles and an assist, which lead his team in total tackles.
The national champion Ohio State Buckeyes were led to victory by their star running back Quinshon Judkins, who ran for a one-hundred-yard game, as well as two rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown. Will Howard was controlled and showed considerable poise on the field, posting an amazing completion percentage of around 80%. The Ohio State offense had student Graham Frank in shock, remarking, “Ohio State’s offensive threats could not be dealt with.” On the defensive side of the ball for the Buckeyes, nobody stuck out as a dominant, overpowering player, but their consistent pressure and performance was able to force punts and deflect passes, leading them to a well fought win. Ohio State kicker Jayden Fielding was an unsung hero in this game, kicking two field goals, one of which from a whopping 47 yards, and putting ten out of a total 34 points on the board.
Notre Dame’s first quarter had many fans hopeful for an upset win, as they led 7-0 at the end of the first, however Ohio’s twenty-one unanswered points in the second quarter seemed to be the deafening blow to an ultimate loss for Notre Dame.
